Improved stocking-heel protector



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

I. N. C. SAVELS, OF STOUGHTON, ASSIGNOR TO BENJAMIN D. GODFREY, OF MILFORD, MASSACHUSETTS.

IMPROVED STOCKING- H EEL PROTECTOR.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 38,134, datedmApril 7, 1863.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, I. N. O. SAVELS, of Stoughton, in the county of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented a cap or cover or chaiing-gear to be worn over the heels of stockings to prevent wear thereof; and I do hereby declare that the following, when taken in connection with the drawings which accompany and form part of this specioation, is a description of my invention suf icient to enable those skilled in the art to practice it.

My invention consists in making an outer covering, cap, or protector for the heel of a stocking, corresponding to it in shape and made attachable to the stocking after it is drawn upon the foot, operating` as an eXtra heel to the Stocking.

The cap or protector is shown in Figure l ot' the drawings in perspective, and in Fig. 2 as applied to the stocking and foot.

A denotes the protector, and B a band or strap by which the same is fastened or held upon the stocking O and against the heel of the foot.

I make the cap or protector to conform or nearly conform to the shape or contour of the heel of a person, and so that when worn it shall fit closely against the stocking and keep in place without wrinklin g. To give it the proper shape it may be struck up or formed from one piece of leather on a block or ball anl without seam, or it may be made with a se im or of several pieces of cloth or leather, with the contiguous edges stitched or cemented together. To hold it close against the foot and prevent it from slipping out of place an elastic band or holder, B, is attached by its ends to the opposite sides of the protector, as seen in Fig. l. Any other convenient means of fastening it to the-stocking may loe used.

The article, instead of being constructed of leather, may be made of any other suitable material, and may be lined or made of several layers or thicknesses.

My invention will be found to be of great utility in preventing the wear of stockingheels and also in protecting the heel of the wearer in walking. As an article to be worn by soldiers it will prove very useful. It is well known that the soldier in the eld and on long marches is often compelled to wear the same pair of stockings for a great length of time until, the heels becoming worn away, his feet become sore from contact with his shoes, and, having no means of mending his stockings, they soon become useless and are thrown away, though they maybe worn through only at the heels.

By using my protector the stocking-heel is made to last much longer, and even after being worn through the stocking may still be worn without inconvenience or without causing the heel of the foot to come in contact with the shoe. Thus the soldier could much longer endure the fatigue of marching, and keep provided with serviceable stockings, which would otherwise be thrown away.

I am well aware that stocking-heels are often knit of extra or double thickness, and also that pieces of cloth or other material are sometimes sewed over the heels to prevent wear or to repair the heels when worn, but this cover or cap in being made detachable can be easily applied without any labor and can be worn at pleasure.

The protectors are light, cheap, and portable, can be easily sent by mail or otherwise, and may be made of very extensive use.

I therefore claim as a new article of manufacture- A heel-protector made to iit upon and be worn over the heel of a stocking, as above de scribed.

I. N. O. SAVELS.

Witnesses:

J. B. CROSBY, ARTHUR NEILL.

I i N 

